Heaviside’s Dolphin – The African Dolphin You’ve Never Met

There are more than 30 different species of dolphin found worldwide. Some of them are very well known but others are not known at all. One of the least known dolphins in the world is the beautiful Heaviside’s Dolphin (Cephalorhynchus heavisidii) of the south east Atlantic Ocean.

Heaviside’s dolphins are small, strikingly colored animals with blunt heads and robust bodies and are often mistaken for porpoises. They are one of the smallest members of the dolphin family with adults only reaching an average of  four feet in length and weighing between 140 to 150 lbs.

The vivid, dark coloring of the Heaviside’s dolphin is very similar to killer whales, although these two animals greatly differ in size and behavior! These little dolphins are so unknown because they’re only found off the southwest coast of Africa and have never been observed or studied in a marine zoological facility.

What is known about them is that they prefer shallow, coastal waters where they primarily feed on fish, but octopus and squid are also a part of their diet. Like most dolphin species, they hunt their prey together in schools of up to 10 animals, but groupings of three are most commonly seen.

In terms of human interaction, the Heaviside’s dolphin is known as the shyer version of its more playful cousin, the Bottlenose Dolphin.  However, they do approach boats and bow ride, and they will accompany marine vessels for several hours.

Unfortunately, as is true for most marine life nowadays, entanglement in fishing gear, pollution and climate change pose a threat to the Heaviside’s dolphin population. Although this type pf considered rare, their limited range and food supply puts them at a greater risk then other species. They are beautiful, unique and worthy of any conservation efforts that lead to their protection!

Image Source: Jutta Luft